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US State Department Issues New 'Worldwide Caution' After Jerusalem Move

Posted on Friday, December 08, 2017 by Abel Norris

Image Palestinians look at a militant target that was hit in an Israeli airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip

President Donald Trump defied decades of United States policy on Wednesday and recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, jeopardising Middle East peace efforts and ignoring warnings from Arab leaders and Western allies alike of stoking more unrest.

Trump on Wednesday will order the State Department to begin moving the USA embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which is claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi people's militia, Harakat Hizbullah al-Nujaba, said in a statement that Donald Trump's decision could become a legitimate reason to attack US forces in Iraq.

There are more than 5,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, part of an global coalition providing air and ground support in Iraqi forces' fight against Islamic State militants.

"The last time the @statedept issued a "Worldwide Caution" because of a U.S. policy decision was March 2003 at the start of the Iraq war", he said on Twitter.

Image Palestinian protestors evacuate an injured protestor during demonstration at the Gaza side of the Israel Gaza border

While the Trump administration and Israel's prime minister framed the decision as a step toward peace, Arab leaders warned it could have disastrous consequences for regional stability. Being a part of the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), the group is considered to be one of the most important militias in Iraq.

While it's unclear what the long-term effects will be, Bethlehem saw violent protests that included Palestinians throwing rocks at Israeli troops shortly after Trump's announcement, the Daily Mail reported.

Diplomatic staff in Israel meanwhile have been banned from traveling to the West Bank and Old City over Palestinian riots.

Jerusalem remains at the core of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem - now occupied by Israel - might eventually serve as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

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